Rhode Island Addiction Treatment and Info

For decades now, the U.S has had massive struggles with drug and substance use, abuse and addiction. While the systems in place have become tighter in a bid to suppress drug use and distribution, the truth is that many states still have a long way to go before they effectively scale down their drug epidemic. Rhode Island is firmly in this category of states. The state has over 5.8 million residents, and it is thus not surprising it has experienced some seriously high rates of drug and alcohol abuse over the past few decades.

Addiction in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has some truly beautiful coastal regions as well as colonial villages that cumulatively speak to the state's history as one of the original 13 colonies. However, the growing drug crisis has gotten in the way of numerous Rhode Island residents properly enjoying good health and a rewarding life.

Drug and alcohol addiction greatly ruins a person's health, relationships and life. The longer a person uses and abuses drugs, the greater the damage to their body, mind and social health.

Addiction treatment can help a person regain control over their life. Rhode Island residents have lots of options in place currently for individualized treatment, including detox services and inpatient drug rehab programs.

Commonly Abused Substances in Rhode Island

There are lots of substances which are used and abused in the state. However, some of these are more widely abused than others. The information that follows highlights the most common drugs in this New England state:

1. Opioids

Mirroring the crisis which is impacting the rest of the country, opioid drugs are mostly to blame for the increasing drug-related deaths in the state of Rhode Island. Heroin, synthetic opioids such as Fentanyl and medically prescribed opioids (with the examples of OxyContin, Percocet, and Vicodin) all fuel this crisis.

In the year 2016, Rhode Island's opioid-related death rate exceeded double the national rate. For every 100,000 Rhode Islanders, 26.7 lost their lives to an opioid drug. Nationally, there were 13.3 deaths for every 100,000 people.

1,323 residents went to treatment for using and abusing opiates other than heroin in the year of 2010. 18-25 year olds led prescription drug abuse in Rhode Island.

From the year 2014 to 2016, of the 3 major categories of opioids which fueled this epidemic, only heroin-related overdose rates fell. Synthetic and prescription opioid-related overdose deaths rates both climbed.

In the year 2016:

  • 25 residents lost their lives in overdoses related to heroin, down from 66 fatalities in the year 2014.
  • 182 residents died as a result of overdoses related to synthetic opioids, up from 82 deaths in the year 2014.
  • 114 people died from an overdose related to prescription opioids, up from 88 deaths in 2014.

Fentanyl was also responsible for nearly 60% of the total opioid-related overdose fatalities in the year 2016. Fentanyl is being increasingly mixed into other substances, with heroin being the primary one. In the year 2017, the amount of Fentanyl-laced cocaine which appeared in Rhode Island climbed.

The presence of Fentanyl makes these substances a lot more addictive and elevates the potential for fatal overdosing. Carfentanil, which is a synthetic Fentanyl analogue that is nearly 10,000 times more potent than morphine, has been found in the state of Rhode Island. Like Fentanyl, a very small amount of this substance has the capacity to cause a fatal overdose.

2. Alcohol

Since the year 1992, alcohol abuse treatment admissions in Rhode Island have been on the decline, falling from 53 % to 29 % in 2006. Drug-only admissions, on the other hand, have doubled from 21% to 46 % in the same time frame. Men comprised the bulk of patients who abused alcohol either as the primary drug or along with a secondary one.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, binge drinking is the act of drinking with the intention of getting intoxicated. It is generally characterized by consuming at least 5 drinks in a two-hour period for men and at least 4 drinks in that same time period for women.

Binge drinking significantly increases the likelihood of developing alcohol dependence. In the year 2014, NIAAA statistics showed that 24.7% of adults 18 and over indicated that they binge drank during the past month.

Excessive drinking results in 292 deaths and 7,538 years of potential life lost every year in Rhode Island. In the state, 19.7% of adults and 18.3% of high school students reported binge drinking in the year 2011.

Excessive use of alcohol cost the United States $223.5 billion, or $1.90 per drink consumed, in the year 2006 as a result of lost workplace productivity, healthcare expenses, and crime. In Rhode Island, excessive use of alcohol cost the state $827.4 million, or $1.74 per drink.

3. Cocaine

Rhode Island was among the states with the highest rates of cocaine use among 3 age groups: 12 -17, 18-25, and 26-30. In the year 2010, about 870 residents were admitted for cocaine addiction treatment.

4. Heroin

In the year 2010, over 1,990 residents were admitted to drug addiction rehab programs in the state for heroin dependency.

5. Marijuana

The largest percentage of individuals treated for marijuana addiction was men. In the year 2010, 1,577 individuals got into substance abuse treatment for marijuana dependency. Rhode Island ranked among the states with the highest rates of marijuana use for all age groups, which made for a damning statistic.

Drug Related Injuries and Fatalities in Rhode Island

Rhode Island ranks among the 18 states in which there are more drug induced deaths than other causes of fatalities. 142 residents died as a result of drug use, compared to 85 people who died in vehicle accidents and 37 people who died as a result of firearms in the year 2007.

Reports from the Department of Justice indicate that cocaine in Rhode Island is most commonly associated with violent crimes, many of which result in grisly injuries and even death.

From the year 2009 to the year 2016, overdose fatalities steadily climbed throughout the state of Rhode Island. In the year 2016, drug overdose deaths were loftier than all fatalities caused by homicide, motor vehicle crashes, and suicide combined.

The Rhode Island Medical Society projects that, unless the state takes action to turn the tide of substance abuse, overdose deaths will continue to climb in the years ahead. Projected overdose rates include:

  • 370 deaths in 2018
  • 398 deaths in 2019
  • 425 deaths in 2020

Addiction Prevention in Rhode Island

Rhode Island offers several drug prevention initiatives which are designed to curb the growing rates of substance abuse among the state's residents Some examples of these initiatives include:

a) The Naloxone and Overdose Prevention Education Program of Rhode Island

This initiative works with state and local officials to fight opioid use disorders and prevent overdoses. Volunteers get training on addiction, overdose prevention and how to use Naloxone (Narcan). This medication can save lives by reversing opioid overdoses.

b) Rhode Island's Governor's Council on Behavioral Health

This council advises the governor on mental health and substance abuse needs and issues in the state. Information on these problems is used to develop statewide behavioral health services.

c) Rhode Island Student Assistance Services

Communities and schools have access to drug abuse prevention and early intervention services through this organization.

Addiction Treatment in Rhode Island

In addition to the preventative initiatives in place, the state has a vast variety of addiction treatment and rehab programs available. These programs avail unique and highly personalized recovery services to admitted clients.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration reported at least 10,147 admissions for drug and alcohol addiction treatment in the year 2010. Of this number, 70.3 % were male and 29.7 % were female.

There are 60 alcohol and drug rehabs in the state of Rhode Island but across all addictions unmet, treatment needs remain among the top 10 highest in the nation especially for the 18-25 year old group. The number of people seeking drug and alcohol treatment with co-occurring psychological problems has risen dramatically from 4.5% in 1992 to 26% in 2006.

Some of the services that you may expect when you are enrolled any one of these programs include, but are not limited to:

  • Aftercare programs
  • Alumni programs
  • Detox programs
  • Inpatient programs
  • Intensive outpatient programs
  • Intervention services
  • Outpatient programs
  • Sober living homes

Consider the following categories of substance abuse treatment and rehab services that are available in Rhode Island:

i) Intervention Services

The work of a professional interventionist is to attend to people that are close to the addicted individual. Think of such folks as siblings, cousins, childhood friends, fianc-es and the like.

They do this in an effort to design an effective intervention. An intervention usually outlines all the negative ramifications of drug use and abuse - from the heavy toll that drug abuse takes on the addict and his or her family to the very real prospect of overdosing fatally.

ii) Medical Detox

Medical detox is the most comprehensive form of detox which provides safety and security in a controlled environment. Addicts stay on site in a specialized medical detox facility for a time period of 3 to 7 days. During the medical detox process, the person's vital signs are continuously monitored, and medical care is promptly delivered as is required.

Common physical withdrawal symptoms include an irregular heart rate and blood pressure levels, significant breathing issues, sleep difficulties, heavy tremors, muscle cramps, aches and tension, headaches, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, vast appetite fluctuations and possible anorexia or even weight loss, sweating, and significant changes in body temperature. Medical detox can also provide physical stabilization through medical means by trained treatment providers.

Emotional side effects of withdrawal can be significant and include depression, anxiety, irritability, agitation, psychosis, restlessness, trouble thinking clearly, concentration and memory difficulties, edginess, and intense cravings. Mental health support is provided during medical detox to address these issues.

iii) Inpatient Addiction Treatment

Getting sober on your own is not only quite dangerous during the initial detox process; it is also a lot likelier to result in a drug relapse at a later time. Addiction treatment centers usually provide a closely-monitored environment where the addicted individual gets the medical attention that he or she needs, as well as ample emotional support to overcome their drug abuse.

Inpatient rehabilitation is basically a residential treatment center where the patients live for varied lengths of time depending on their particular program. The average stay is usually 30 days, but most facilities are willing to offer longer programs of 60 days, 90 days or even longer. The length of the treatment is dependent on multiple factors, with the inclusion of the severity of the patient's addiction, the existence of any co-occurring mental health issues, and whether the addicted individual has been through a rehab program before.

Most inpatient centers have family programs, where members of the individual's family participate in family counseling and activities. This gives the opportunity to mend trust as well as identify dysfunctional relationships or dynamics which could trigger relapsing. Families help encourage and support their afflicted member by getting actively involved in the recovery process.

iv) Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Outpatient treatment is a drug recovery program which occurs during the daytime only and it may occur outside of a formal treatment facility. Patients do not live at the facility, like they do in inpatient programs, and they may continue to go to work and socialize normally with friends as they receive treatment for their addiction. It's vital that the patient's home life is stable enough so that they can return at night and not have the risk of relapsing.

Outpatient treatment may be used following an inpatient program, by itself or perhaps as a way to maintain a sober state for those patients who are already in recovery.

Some rehabilitation clinics offer a Partial Hospitalization Program, or PHP, where patients receive treatment in the day and then return home at night. PHPs are classifiable as a part of either an outpatient or inpatient program.

Regardless of the drug rehab type you settle for, there is a high probability that you will find the following therapy kinds in place at the addiction recovery facility of your choice:

  • 12-step and non-12 support groups
  • Addiction education
  • Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Complementary therapies, including equine therapy, yoga, meditation, biofeedback, massage therapy, and journaling
  • Coping techniques
  • Couples counseling
  • Dialectical behavior therapy
  • Exercise therapy
  • External support groups
  • Family therapy
  • Group therapy meetings
  • Individual counseling
  • Life skills training
  • Nutritional therapy
  • Relapse prevention
  • Stress management
  • Vocational training

Getting Help

Once you discover that you indeed have a drug dependency problem, the smartest course of action to take is to seek out a suitable rehab program and get admitted to it. It is a mistake to attempt to clamp down on your addiction via sheer force of will - there is a high chance that you either relapse or have a very torrid time with withdrawal symptoms. Any Rhode Island rehab facility will be glad enough to have you on.

CITATIONS

https://afmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/OADAP_SEOW-2017-State-Report-Book_v3.3PRINT.pdf

https://www.addictioncenter.com/treatment/inpatient-rehab/

https://www.carnevaleassociates.com/our-work/emerging-drug-trends-prevention-issue-brief.html

https://www.cdc.gov/psr/2013/alcohol/2013/RI-alcohol.pdf

https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2018-11/DIR-032-18%202018%20NDTA%20final%20low%20resolution.pdf

https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/news-statistics/emerging-drug-trends

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234579/

https://www.shadac.org/publications/50-state-analysis-drug-overdose-trends-evolving-opioid-crisis-across-states

https://www.unodc.org/documents/wdr/WDR_2010/2.0_Drug_statistics_and_Trends.pdf


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